Southern States Propose to Set Up Regional Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

HYDERABAD: The southern states have decided to set up Regional Wildlife Crime Control Bureau on the lines of National Wildlife Crime Control Bureau to tackle trans-border wildlife crime.

The forest ministers of southern states have met at the southern forest ministers conference in Tiruvanantapuram in Kerala on Thursday. The meeting was inaugurated by Kerala chief minister Oomen Chandy.

Telangana state forest minister Jogu Ramanna, who participated in the conference, said that the meeting has also decided to form a Southern State Ministers Council to share their information and experiences. Kerala state forest minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan will be the chairman of the council for the first year.

Speaking at the conference, Ramanna said the Centre has granted Special Tiger Protection Force to the state for protecting wildlife. He also said the state government is using modern technology like GIS, GPS and remote sensing technology in its efforts to protect forests.

‘’Preserving forests and protection of wildlife from smugglers and poachers has become a major challenge for southern states. Smugglers are committing crime in one state and taking shelter in the neighbouring state. The southern states should cooperate with each other to tackle the menace of smugglers,’’ Ramanna said.

Meanwhile, it was decided to hold the next conference of forest ministers in November in Hyderabad.